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A group of fourteen businessman from South Australia ended their 7 days trek along the renowned Kokoda Trail with cheers, well wishes, and a farewell song sung by the local guides at Ower?s Corner today.
The group led by Chris Codling arrrived this afternoon to the shouts of welcome from the local boys who happened to be their porters.
The last grinding climb up towards Ower?s Corner may have been hard but despite the heat of the sun they made it just in time after a refreshing bath down at Goldie River.
Some covered with ferns wrapped around their head and bodies you could have easily mistaken them for locals. But conquered Kokoda Trail they did, like many before them.
The welcome at Ower's Corner……
Ower__s_Corner600.jpgTrekkers include many successful businessmen from Adelaide, South Australia:
Chris Codling; John Pascoe; Bruce Carter; Stephen Duncan; Peter Altman; Christ Altman; Arthur Robertson; Dr Erik Eriksen; Dr Peter Malycha; Andre Killey; Peter Gregg; James Porter; Peter Johnston & Michael Slee.
The trekkers at Ower's Corner with the local guides and porters…
DSC02216200.jpgThe group left for Kokoda on Wednesday last week and trekked towards to Ower's Corner. The group who called themselves Harry's Heroes Walking for a Cure were initially scheduled for nine days but pushed on and decided to end their trek in just 7 days.
One of the trekkers after arriving at Ower's Corner…
DSC0220766.jpgThe guys were probably dreaming of cold beer while trekking, it seems they don't sell it on the trail.
When they arrived at Ower's Corner they asked where the nearest pub was. Of course it would be another hour's drive till we get to the next pub which in this case was in Port Moresby.
We welcomed them at Ower's Corner with sandwiches and cold drinks…. and beeer..? YES, beer, what a surprise and they did embraced and thankfully gulped down one each while they had their sandwich.
After they finished eacting we get ready for another hours ride from Ower's and into Port Moresby and got them booked in at Gateway.
Lunch with beer, soft drinks and sandwich at Ower's Corner…
DSC02227e.jpgThe trek ended with a big celebration at Gateway Hotel. Yes, last night the group organised a poolside babarcue and invited the local guides and porters to be their guests as a sign of appreciation for their hospitality during their trek.
Words of thanks and acknowledgements were exchanged after the meal. Speaking during the gathering, leader of the group, Chris Codling thanked the porters and their guide for making sure everyone had a safe journey and arrived safely back in Port Moresby.
Mr Codling, whos nickname Harry was picked to reprensent the group "Harry's Heroes" stated he was surprised to see that most children living in villages along the trail were looking healthy.
Mr Codling's group was walking for a cause to try and help people living with long term illness like cancer or heart diseases get treatment.
During their trek they came across a father who's child had a hole in her heart. The father who happened to be one of the group's porter comes from a village along the trail and since there was no treatment for such in the country so Harry's Heroes pledged to help the child get treatment overseas.
He said trekking along the Kokoda was a good experience and attributed the success of the trek to the locals who beared as their carriers along the trail.
Mr Codling receiving his certificate at Gateway..last night
DSC02254q.jpgEveryone commented at the end, that the track was tough. One of the two doctors in the group said he has trekked several other places before but nothing compared to the infamous Kokoda Trail.
"I've been trekking before and seen and walked mountains that you could easily climb.
The mountains along the Kokoda trail is nothing like I've seen before. Instead of going up and down, you are going up and up…and up and down and down…and down," Dr Erik Eriksen, the eldest in the group stressed with his hands in the air.
Dr Erik Eriksen at Gateway last night where they had a babarcue with the porters and received their Certificates of succcessfully acheiving Kokoda track. Erik said he loved his porter, Chrisly, so much he would recommend him to a friend who's interested in doing the track.
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